Criminal Justice

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 331: Prohibits award of custody or visitation rights to persons convicted of certain sex crimes against minors.

This bill prohibits courts from awarding custody or visitation rights to individuals convicted of specific sex crimes against minors, including criminal sexual contact, luring children, human trafficking involving minors, lewdness, or promoting child prostitution. It expands existing law to cover additional offenses beyond sexual assault, requiring courts to deny such rights unless clear and convincing evidence shows it is in the child’s best interest. The law applies to all minor children, including those who were victims or born from the crime. Courts must delay enforcement for 10 days to allow appeals, but it does not terminate parental rights or affect child support obligations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts offender access to minors by denying custody/visitation post-conviction, enhancing victim protection within criminal justice framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Violent Crime

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

ACR 24: Establishes "Joint Committee on Human Trafficking."

ACR 24 establishes a bipartisan "Joint Committee on Human Trafficking" in New Jersey to study and evaluate the state's current human trafficking initiatives, programs, and support services. The six-member committee (three Senate appointees, three Assembly appointees, with no more than two from the same party) will consult state agencies like the Attorney General's Human Trafficking Unit and academic experts to identify improvements and effective solutions. The committee must hold public meetings, document its work, and submit annual reports with findings and legislative recommendations to legislative leaders. This resolution creates a procedural body to oversee and improve anti-trafficking efforts without changing existing laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeACR 24 creates a committee to evaluate and improve human trafficking initiatives, directly advancing criminal justice reform through enhanced program assessment and coordination.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3365: Concerns private entities that own, operate or manage correctional facilities or jails.

This bill prohibits private companies from owning, operating, or managing New Jersey correctional facilities or jails after its effective date, unless they already had a valid contract with a government agency before the law passed. It specifically bans public agencies (like counties or the state) from entering new contracts with private entities for jail operations, renewing existing contracts, or extending their terms after the law takes effect. The law applies to all secure facilities used for housing people in custody, including prisons, jails, and similar facilities. It takes effect immediately upon enactment. The bill directly affects private correctional companies and public agencies responsible for jail operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans private management of correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce profit-driven incentives and promote public oversight in corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 342: Creates offense of tracking for unlawful purpose; imposes enhanced penalties.

This bill creates a new fourth-degree crime for using GPS or location tracking devices to monitor a vehicle with the intent to commit an unlawful act (such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or vehicle theft). It directly affects individuals who misuse tracking technology to harass or threaten others. The key provision mandates a minimum 5-year prison sentence for this offense - replacing the standard penalty of up to 18 months - under New Jersey’s sentencing law for fourth-degree crimes. This change applies to any tracking device used with unlawful intent, regardless of the specific crime involved. The bill is pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes mandatory 5-year sentence for GPS tracking misuse, increasing penalties beyond standard fourth-degree crimes.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes misuse of GPS tracking for unlawful purposes (e.g., harassment), directly enhancing data privacy protections and aligning with topic's focus on digital rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 218: Establishes "New Jersey Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act."

This bill, introduced in New Jersey, requires health care professionals to provide the same standard of care to infants born alive after an abortion or attempted abortion as they would to any newborn. It defines "born alive" as any infant showing signs of life (breathing, heartbeat, or movement) after expulsion, regardless of gestational age or birth method. Violating these requirements could result in third-degree criminal charges (3-5 years in prison or $15,000 fine), while intentionally killing such an infant would be a 30-year-to-life offense. The bill also mandates reporting failures to comply and allows mothers to file civil lawsuits against violators. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Health Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense (third-degree charges) for medical professionals failing to provide care to born-alive abortion survivors, expanding criminalization.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates standard medical care for born-alive abortion survivors, protecting infant patient rights and aligning with healthcare standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2610: Allows sentencing to extended term for repeat convictions of receipt of stolen property.

This bill allows prosecutors to request extended prison sentences for repeat offenders convicted of receiving stolen property. It applies to individuals with two or more prior separate convictions for this crime (or substantially equivalent offenses), provided the current offense occurred within 10 years of either their last prison release or their most recent prior conviction. The court must hold a hearing where the defendant can challenge the evidence before imposing the extended term. This changes sentencing options for repeat property crime offenders by expanding eligibility for longer prison terms under specific prior conviction conditions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates extended prison sentences for repeat theft offenders, increasing mandatory terms without rehabilitation focus or defendant rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 397: Creates first degree crime of home invasion, upgrades certain residential burglaries to second degree crime; requires juvenile carjacking and home invasion offenses be tried in county where delinquency occurred.

This bill creates a new first-degree crime called "home invasion" for entering a residence with intent to commit certain serious offenses (like robbery or violence) when others are present, carrying a mandatory 10-30 year prison sentence. It also upgrades residential burglaries to second-degree crimes when committed with aggravating factors like presence of occupants or weapons. Additionally, the bill requires juveniles accused of home invasion or carjacking to be tried in the county where the incident occurred, rather than their residence county. These changes directly affect individuals committing these offenses and juvenile court proceedings in New Jersey.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates mandatory 10-30 year sentences for home invasion and upgrades burglaries, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4282: Increases penalties imposed on juveniles and adults convicted of motor vehicle theft and related crimes.

This bill requires New Jersey juvenile courts to consider the threat to public safety as a factor when sentencing juveniles convicted of motor vehicle theft or related crimes. It removes a previous exception that allowed for more lenient dispositions in these specific cases, meaning juveniles found guilty of such offenses must now face the full range of sentencing options. As a result, juveniles convicted of motor vehicle theft may face harsher penalties, such as incarceration, compared to before the bill. The bill also aims to increase penalties for adults convicted of similar crimes, but the adult provisions are not detailed in the provided text.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves leniency exception for juvenile motor vehicle theft, mandating harsher sentencing including incarceration. Increases penalties aligns with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4476: Authorizes the court to issue restraining orders to defendants charged with a crime as a condition of release on bail.

This bill requires New Jersey courts to issue restraining orders as a standard condition when releasing defendants charged with crimes on bail. It applies to people charged via warrant, summons, or juvenile complaints, barring them from specific places (like residences, workplaces, or schools) related to the crime or where witnesses/family members are located. The court must issue these orders unless the defendant proves by clear evidence they have a legitimate need to be there (e.g., living there) or the order would cause undue hardship. Exceptions are limited, and orders must clearly specify prohibited areas and any entry conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates restraining orders for victim/witness safety, aligns with reform goals of preventing reoffending and protecting civil rights in court proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 391: Establishes New Jersey Human Trafficking Criminal Registry; requires establishment of educational curricula related to human trafficking.

This bill establishes the New Jersey Human Trafficking Criminal Registry, requiring the Attorney General to create an online database with details about individuals convicted of specific human trafficking offenses (including trafficking, aiding trafficking, or advertising commercial sexual abuse of minors). The registry categorizes people by status (incarcerated, on parole, in community release programs, or out-of-state parolees) and includes names, sentences, addresses, and criminal history. It also mandates one-time training for police on trafficking identification and for hotel/motel staff and healthcare workers on recognizing and responding to suspected trafficking cases. These training requirements must be completed within specific timeframes by affected employees and are tied to license maintenance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates registry to track human trafficking offenders, enhancing law enforcement transparency and public safety protections in criminal justice context.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Policing Probation & Parole

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